Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Okay, I like the 12 ounce size. It lasts me at least 10-60 minutes (depending on how thirsty/ caffeine-deprived I am). It fits nicely in my hand and (when first opened) has a decent heft to it. Makes a good, "click-hiss" when you open up.

For years you've also offered the 8 ounce size, which several local hospitals stock. Not as tall, or as much, but same diameter so still fits nicely in my hand and has a nice "click-hiss"when you pop it. 3 of these equals 2 big ones.

BUT NOW YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR. The new pissy little "tall and thin" 7.5 ounce (how much money does that 0.5 ounce difference really save, for cryin' out loud?) is a disgrace. Look at it! It looks like a little silver can of fucking V8 juice!

This is SO not acceptable. It makes this high pitched "click" when you open. The can is so small and dainty I feel like I should drink it in little sips, pinched delicately between my thumb and index finger, with the pinkie sticking out, like I'm at one of my daughter's freakin' doll tea parties.

Hmmmm... wonder if Coke is trying to tell the Grumpy Doctor that he shouldn't be drinking soda AT ALL because, you know, it's bad for you and all that???? (Of course, I write this as I chow down on sugar-laden chocolates, so feel free to ignore my comment.)

I too, just saw the 7.5 oz size at the store. Not sure why they need to do this-- other than-- now the can is under 100 calories for the regular Coke. I am a big fan of the 12 oz plastic bottles since I can't be trusted with an open can around medical records. Also a big fan of the fully leaded Coke (Sugar or HFCS and Caffeine). Don't worry, I never even thought of you when I saw the smaller can size.

That's the first time in my life I've ever seen the words "manly" and "Diet Coke" in the same sentence. (The previous sentence is the second and, probably, last.) If you're so concerned about your macho image, I recommend the following:

Empty the latter into the former. Enjoy in full view of everyone. Make sure there's a mirror handy.

There will be a couple of ounces of overflow, but you can easily deal with that. Sharp-eyed viewers might see that the color doesn't quite match, but, if anyone points this out, just ask them sarcastically when THEY became such an expert in Jack Daniel's(*) and offer to kick their ass.

(*) Unless of course you happen to practice in Lynchburg, TN, in which case use a Jim Beam bottle instead. Or, better yet, George Dickel.

I've never understood the "smaller can" marketing ploy. Is this so we can introduce our kids to soft drinks? Because I can drink one of those little 8 oz. cans in two swallows (watch it, peanut gallery). Besides, they are more expensive!

I suspect that the reasoning is that few people will notice the change. Rather than increase the price of the can directly, by reducing the volume of soda and the weight of the can the Coke company maintains a roughly equivalent cost. Given the increasing cost of aluminum in the last few years, along with the energy required to process it(which is substantial), this may be the optimum solution as far as Coke is concerned. A better solution is to lower the cost of energy, but that is a can of worms.

I once took a math course where the instructor was attempting to show how math can be used to make products more economical. He went through a few minutes of derivation to produce a coke can eerily close to the little squat guy.

Then he went on to explain that other considerations often win out. Like, aesthetics.

Both Coke and Pepsi have recently downsized their soda cans and bottles but the price either stayed the same or went up. My husband's favorite 20oz bottles went down to 16.5 oz but the price is still the same.

Dr. Grumpy, when Coca-cola was introduced, it only came in 6.5 oz bottles. As for the sizes of sodas in general, may i suggest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM that video? Not the whole thing, but about 15, 20 minute in, he addresses the sizes on sodas.

Marketing must be worried about downsizing and had to justify their existence. Sounds like a Dilbert Strip waiting to happen.

This being Texas, you can usually troll Mexican restaurants, flea markets, Farmer's Markets ans occasionally Sam's for regular Coke (in glass bottles) made with sugar instead of corn syrup. It has a slightly different taste.

"How much will the 0.5 ounce save?" you ask? For the price of making 120 ounces of diet coke, they can fill 16 instead of 15 cans. Given the large number of cans they make, that soon adds up. I don't have time at the moment to crunch the numbers for a dollar value though.

I had to buy my husband cases that had 20 instead of 24. Our grocery store only had the 20 packs of Coke no 24 packs. They were cheaper at first glance but when you balance out the per can price they are probably more expensive. (I dont do math)

Consumers perceive products labelled 'diet' as being for women, so Coca Cola created Coke Zero (in a slick black can) for men to look cool drinking. It is the same as Diet Coke. So, look for that in the store if it's on sale.

As for the sucrose (table sugar) containing real Coke, yes, you can get it in places closer to Mexico, e.g. we have it at Costco here in San Diego. It does taste different, as sucrose = 50/50 glucose/fructose, whereas HFCS = High Fructose Corn Syrup is 45/55 glucose/fructose.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's all this talk of Diet Coke being a non-masculine beverage? Is that a regional concept? I live in northern NY (capital region) and I've never been called non-manly for drinking a DC. I am as much of a "man's man" as there is; sports-watching-constantly-cursing-heavy-metal-listening-fraternity-boy... and, to me, NOTHING tastes better than a wicked cold Diet Coke in a can. Well, except for a Canadian beer, but I'm not allowed to have those in the pharmacy.

I think it's being done because of fat Americans. The REGULAR coke in this new size is under 90 calories. As DC has no calories, why would they F with it?? I wish they came in a 20 ounce CAN. Doesn't taste the same out of a bottle! I have even looked online to see how much it would cost to install a fountain at home!

Welcome to my whining!

This blog is entirely for entertainment purposes. All posts about patients may be fictional, or be my experience, or were submitted by a reader, or any combination of the above. Factual statements may or may not be accurate.

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